Faithful

   

   
     In the past week we have had the privilege of spending time with a couple of old friends. The husband has been dying in hospital and his wife has been at his side, tirelessly, constantly, holding his hand. It has been a sad time but also a confirmation of all that marriage can be: steady, enduring, sharing and resilient.
     This couple have been together for over thirty years, have four amazing children and have made a wonderful life together in our small community. We met them at our church over fifteen years ago and although we have not spent a lot of time together recently, we both have thought of them often. They are a family of fine people--- caring, responsible and real.
     This husband and father knew that to be faithful in the little things is a big thing. He made huge breakfasts for his children, got them to church every Sunday, did mounds of laundry, often and cheerfully. He was a great dad. This family spent this last Christmas together and when he was seemingly no longer with them they told funny daddy stories. Lots of them. One of the outstanding things about spending this time with him and his wife in the hospital was hearing some of these stories: the funny daddy stories, the even funnier husband and wife stories, and the stories that made their family what it was: precious, rare and real.
     Our friend is gone but he will live on in the memories of his four wonderful children and his warm and loving wife. He will live on in the memories of all of us who valued him as a man and a friend. Happy fishing my friend....